Soapbox Engage Blog

Issue 314

Happy Tuesday, fundraisers!

It may still be summer, but year-end fundraising is already starting to creep onto the horizon. This week’s roundup is a good reminder that the best time to get your data, systems, and donor relationships in shape is before things get hectic.

We’re looking at everything from getting your donor data AI-ready and using CRM data to identify major gift prospects, to making giving easier and strengthening the behind-the-scenes stewardship work that keeps donors connected. Read on for more!

Have a wonderful week!

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Great Fundraising Posts

Is Your Donor Data Ready for AI-Powered Fundraising?

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

AI can only be as smart as the donor data underneath it. This guide takes a practical look at what nonprofits should clean up before adding AI to the fundraising stack, from duplicate records and missing fields to the systems that keep bad data from creeping back in. A good reminder that before asking AI to do more, it may be time to make sure your CRM is ready.

Make It Easy

Steven Screen (The Better Fundraising Company)

Sometimes better fundraising really is that simple: make it easier. This piece rounds up a few ways nonprofits can remove friction, from simplifying donation pages to using specific offers and everyday language. A useful reminder that donors shouldn't have to work too hard to understand what their gift will do or figure out how to give.

Why Cutting Fundraising in Tough Times Is a Mistake

Sarah Lawson (Moceanic)

When budgets get tight, fundraising can look like an obvious place to cut. This piece makes the case for resisting that instinct, arguing that pulling back on fundraising can make a difficult financial situation even harder. The key takeaway: tough times are exactly when nonprofits need to keep investing in donor relationships, acquisition, and the channels that are working.

4 Strategies to Turn Annual Donors Into Legacy Supporters

The Fundraising Coach (The Fundraising Coach)

Legacy giving isn't just for your wealthiest donors. This piece makes the case for looking at loyalty instead, because the supporter who's been giving faithfully for years may be a much stronger legacy prospect than someone with a bigger gift but little connection to your mission. A smart reminder to look beyond wealth when thinking about planned giving.

Why Strong Donor Stewardship Starts in the Back Office

Jeff Schreifels (NonProfit PRO)

Great stewardship may look effortless to the donor, but a lot of work happens behind the scenes to make it that way. This piece is a good reminder that clean data, reliable processes, and strong internal coordination are part of the donor experience too. When the back office works well, supporters are more likely to feel known, valued, and cared for.

Using CRM Data to Find and Prioritize Major Gift Prospects

Soapbox Engage (Soapbox Engage)

Before buying another prospecting tool, take a closer look at the data already in your CRM. This guide shows how giving history, event participation, relationships, and even staff notes can reveal promising major gift prospects. The best part? You don't need a fancy predictive model to get started. A thoughtful look at the data you already have may uncover more opportunities than expected.

Use This Checklist to Help You Plan Your Year-End Fundraising Campaign

Ann Green (Ann Green's Nonprofit Blog)

August is here, which means year-end fundraising is officially on the horizon. This checklist is a helpful nudge to start now, from setting a concrete goal and cleaning up your lists to planning your appeal, donation experience, and donor thank-yous. The best takeaway? Don't wait until fall to figure out the details that always take longer than expected.

Pretty Wins

Kevin Schulman (The Agitator)

Your data can be completely right and still fail to persuade. This piece makes the case that polished charts aren't just prettier to look at, they can actually make information feel more trustworthy and credible. A fun reminder for anyone presenting fundraising data: design isn't decoration. It can shape what people believe.

5 Ways That AI Can Help You Win Back Lapsed Donors

wpengine (FundraisingIP)

A lapsed donor isn't necessarily a lost donor. This piece looks at how AI can help nonprofits spot the supporters most likely to return, personalize outreach, fine-tune asks, and recognize signs of renewed interest. The bigger takeaway is a good one: sometimes the next donor to re-engage is already sitting in your database.